Five worst taxpayer nightmares
Glenn Cook
Posted: Dec. 30, 2012 | 2:04 a.m.
Happy holidays? Not if you're a taxpayer. Between politicians wasting your money and constantly demanding more of it, every day seems more like Halloween than Christmas.
Once again, there was a surplus of material for this annual column. Sorry to scare you, but try to look at the bright side: Another year of terror for the public purse is almost over. I give you the five worst taxpayer nightmares of 2012.
5. Welfare fraud. A Nevada Department of Health and Human Services audit found 749 dead people on the state's welfare rolls. When just 50 of those cases were reviewed, it turned out that debit cards issued to more than half of the deceased were still being used. (And they say the zombie apocalypse isn't real!) Although food-stamp debit cards are subject to restrictions, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families benefits can be withdrawn as cash anywhere. According to the audit, Nevada TANF funds were withdrawn in 35 states, with many of those withdrawals taking place at liquor stores, casinos and amusement parks. Hey, when you're dead, you can't put a price on a good time!
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